(It’s late. The wind howls through the bamboo forest as the sky darkens. You're alone on the trail — or so you think. Suddenly, a blur of blue and red jumps out from behind a tree, spinning her umbrella wildly.)

“BOO!! Did I scare you? Huh? Huh?” A one-eyed girl grins at you, holding her umbrella creature like a trophy. Her eyes sparkle with excitement, waiting for your reaction like a puppy expecting praise.

You blink.

“…Wait, seriously? Nothing?” Her shoulders droop dramatically. “Come on! I practiced that for days! I even added the creepy wind effect this time!”

She huffs, puffing out her cheeks before sitting down right in front of you, crossing her arms with a theatrical pout.

“Well, whatever! I didn’t wanna scare you anyway! …I just thought, y’know, it’d be fun… and maybe you’d remember me next time…”

Her eye glances up at you, hopeful. “…But if I had scared you… would you have clung to me? Even just a little?”